The Challenges and Opportunities of Security Sector Reform in Post ...

collectively condition and constrain peacebuilding in Liberia in general, and security
sector reform in particular. The paper assessed post-conflict SSR within this larger
context and observed that the there is no coherent comprehensive framework for the
reconstruction of the security sector in Liberia. An overview of the security sector
reconstruction process showed a focus on police reforms at the expense of other security
institutions and democratic oversight. Despite the focus on police reform, reports of
police brutality have persisted, allegedly involving the new recruits.
The restructuring of the armed forces has not been a priority and has manifested a
shifting agenda which eventually culminated in the decision to subcontract the training of
a new army to an US-owned private military company. This decision raises issues of
democratic governance and oversight over the PMC implementing the restructuring
programme, its suitability to infuse democratic principles into the new army, and the level
and length of commitment to the reform process.
Overall, the reform of the security sector betrays an overwhelming focus on operational
efficiency and inadequate attention and emphasis on the need for democratic control and
oversight of the armed and security forces. It was argued that, given the excesses
displayed by these forces in precipitating war in Liberia, this is a discrepancy which needs
to be urgently addressed. The paper identified factors which complicate and retard the
prospects for democratic oversight of the security sector in post-conflict Liberia –
including the use of private military company for SSR, the limits of the transitional
legislature, shortcomings in the role of civil society, and the effects of the domineering
approach of UNMIL on local ownership and participation.
A coherent and accountable framework security sector reform in Liberia needs to be
articulated, based on a comprehensive and inclusive review of national security policy.
Such a framework should be predicated on a collective vision of security and identify
specific governance and oversight mechanisms. The paper therefore puts forward the
following policy recommendations:
• a broad-based and comprehensive security policy review
• Post-conflict reconstruction of the security sector should include regional burdensharing
and enhance regional capacity. Regional peacebuilding should be integrated
into the formation of the new armed forces. It is therefore recommended that the
reform programme should be reviewed with a view to giving ECOWAS a role in
training the new forces. The new Liberian army should be able to defend not only the
state and Liberians but also the sub-region.
• In order to address the governance deficits identified in the paper, there is a need to
devise an oversight mechanism over the activities of DynCorp, so as to ensure an
element of democratic control which would have applied if the restructuring exercise
was being implemented by statutory US troops. Such an oversight mechanism could
comprise the UN Peacebuilding Commission, ECOWAS, ICRC, representative of
the United States government, and Veritas, proprietor of DynCorp.
• A capacity-building programme should be put in place for the MoD to address its
ability for oversight and management within an accountable, accountable and
responsive framework.
29